Im Giving Up on Audyssey and Going to ARC

wingnut4772
wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
edited July 2012 in Electronics
After giving my Integra almost a month I've decided that it's not all it's cracked up to be. I guess I was expecting the much ballyhooed Audyssey XT32 to be more than it is so I've decided to go back to Anthem and am getting the D2V. I always regretting letting go of my old D2. I'm excited to hear how ARC sounds in my system. I'll definitely post my thoughts on the differences here.
Sharp Elite 70
Anthem D2V 3D
Parasound 5250
Parasound HCA 1000 A
Parasound HCA 1000
Oppo BDP 95
Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
Totem Mask Surrounds X4
Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
Sony PS3
Squeezebox Touch

Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
Post edited by wingnut4772 on
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Comments

  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited July 2012
    I anxiously await the verdict!
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited July 2012
    I dont see the reason to go with the super expensive D2v when it sounds the same as the D2? The only reason is to have it play sacd but why bother when you can put the extra cash for dedicated 2ch equipment. I like arc for movies as it just sounds better from all the room correction systems I have heard. I did consider that Integra and heard it in the store
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited July 2012
    Does the D2 decide lossless audio? I thought it only did 5.1 Dolby.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • cr136124
    cr136124 Posts: 186
    edited July 2012
    Wow, really? I heard that Audyssey XT32 is the best of the best. Actually, I'm now considering selling my current receiver to buy a new one with XT32 in it.

    Could you please elaborate a bit more on the reason you don't like it?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2012
    Don't blame Audyssey, it's the Integra house sound.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2012
    I had an Integra 9.9 and I liked the sound a lot. I never used the MultiEQ though.

    The D2V decodes the new audio formats. The D2 you have to decode in the player and run multichannel analog to the D2

    I just don't like the 'sound' of Audyssey. It's too bright. No matter how I run it. I know a lot of people love it but maybe more women should review audio gear :mrgreen:
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • cr136124
    cr136124 Posts: 186
    edited July 2012
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    I had an Integra 9.9 and I liked the sound a lot. I never used the MultiEQ though.

    The D2V decodes the new audio formats. The D2 you have to decode in the player and run multichannel analog to the D2

    I just don't like the 'sound' of Audyssey. It's too bright. No matter how I run it. I know a lot of people love it but maybe more some should review audio gear :mrgreen:

    Oh, thanks for the additional input. Do you think is the Integra brand? The one that I'm hoping to buy is the Denon 4311.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited July 2012
    I had an Onkyo 3008 with XT32 in it and noticed that it was also very bright with Audyssey. I much prefer the Pioneers I've owned and MCACC after trying both in my HT.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2012
    cr136124 wrote: »
    Oh, thanks for the additional input. Do you think is the Integra brand? The one that I'm hoping to buy is the Denon 4311.

    I don't know. Everyone is different. I would listen to them first.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited July 2012
    In the meantime get your ears on a Pioneer SC57 and see what MCACC has to offer. Anthem is very nice gear, congrats.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited July 2012
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    ....maybe more women should review audio gear :mrgreen:

    I'm with ya Darla.....just as soon as more men start reviewing panty hose.

    Not that I would be interested of course.:mrgreen::eek:
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited July 2012
    I knew you are always an Anthem fanatic...:smile:
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2012
    Face wrote: »
    Don't blame Audyssey, it's the Integra house sound.

    Mike probably has a point. But to tell you the truth, I "never" use the auto stuff, but prefer to balance everything with meters and my own ears so I don't really know what the Onkyo Audyssey would sound like?

    We're all "ears" for the review!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2012
    I can attest Audessey on the Marantz AV7005 isn't bright at all. I believe the AV7006 is right around the corner though...

    A friend of mine returned his Integra DHC 80.2, replaced it with an AV7005 and is now much happier. He ran auto setup with both units and also found the Integra bright.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited July 2012
    I think the difference is staggering when you hear an Anthem receiver or preamp with ARC engaged and disengaged. When I got it installed on my pre it turned into a completely different animal. According to the engineers at Anthem an avm50 with ARC will sound better than a D2 without this is why I think most folks buy a D2 but soon go on the lookout for something else later on. As far as the sound and this goes for the receivers too, the sound of Anthem is not bright yet has all the sparkle that would come from a bright receiver like a yamaha or integra pre. The sound is just right and has too much bass to be considered sterile or neutral and I find it makes for the perfect HT experience plus music sounds pretty good but not great. As far as pioneer goes I found that it cant touch the sound of an Anthem receiver so its not even going to be an option to go up against an Anthem dedicated pre with its own power supply. I did get to hear the Marantz hooked up to a fancy Bryston amp and have to say it was way more than I expected so keep that option on the cards. Any links to info on the Marantz 7006 ?
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2012
    I got a good deal on the Anthem. The brand new 3D one so it was hard to pass up. It comes with the full warranty. I just got so sick and disappointed in the Audyssey and I decided that if sound was THAT important to me I needed to just go back to Anthem. I always found the Integra fatiguing. Even with movies. With music it was better only because I used the Direct pass through feature but Audyssey was incredibly disappointing. I like what I have been reading about ARC.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited July 2012
    Congrats!!! on the new D2V

    I bet your going to have an ear to ear smile when you unbox that beautiful piece of equipment, I wish I had the money for something like that. I for one look forward too your impressions on not just the sound but the video processor thats inside that thing
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